👀👀👀
“What if Tater went to Samwell instead of Jack?”
Alexei sees it the first time he drags Bittle into the locker room to meet his new teammates.
Honestly, it’s almost impossible to miss. His stoic, unflappable captain takes one look at Alexei’s tiny ex-liney and scowls; but not the normal scowl, it’s the expression saved for tiny children that take too long to clear the ice between periods. When Zimmermann is secretly charmed but too professional to show it.
Zimms thinks B is cute.
“Hey, Tater?” Jack asks when they have the room alone. “Who was that?”
“If you come say hello I would have introduced you to B, he’s teammate from Samwell.” Alexei elbows Jack in the ribs. “See you with big eyes.”
Zimmermann balks, scrambling to explain himself when Alexei slaps a hand on his shoulder. “B is very good person. You have much in common. Hockey. Both captain. So much to talk about. I give you his number. You call him tonight. Good? Give me phone.”
“Euh, right,” Jack shakes himself loose and winces. “Tater, I’m not —”
“Don’t. You are bad liar.”
“Okay. Um, do you think he’d want to talk to me?”
“Little B very fond of men who are looking like this,” Alexei gestures broadly at Jack. “And I am fond of you. So is good match.”
